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Milan Tours

Milan, Majesty and Beauty!

On your visit to Milan, Italy you will certainly notice the magnificent blending of centuries of art and architecture. Once home to the Roman Empire, Milan is the epicenter of Italian finance, industry, and football. Additionally, Milan is home to exquisite galleries and museums, centuries of breathtaking architecture, and the internationally renowned Milan Fashion Week. Milan is also somewhat of a cultural melting pot due to the various nations which laid claim to the city during its long history; Milan’s former rulers include the French, the Austrians, and the Spanish.

Jubilation will envelop art and architecture enthusiasts during a visit to Milan. The city is home to structures dating back to the Roman Empire as well as those whose construction began in mid-900 A D. The Milan Cathedral is both an architectural marvel as well as a treasure trove of awe-inspiring works of art. To view the breathtaking and inspirational piece “The Last Supper”, by Leonardo da Vinci, visit the Dominican convent adjoining Santa Maria Delle Grazie. Between 1494 and 1498, da Vinci created his masterpiece on the wall of the convent’s refectory.

Fashionistas should be certain to make time to tour Milan’s Fashion Quadrilateral home to some of Italy’s finest shops and boutiques. Of course, the Quadrilateral is not the only place to take part in the Milan shopping experience. Il Salvagente is a high-end fashion outlet which sells last year’s most sought-after labels at a discounted price.

Milan offers something to every visitor; whether you enjoy a constant on-the-go whirlwind tour or slower paced relaxing times to discover the city, Milan will leave you with unforgettable memories and a longing to return.

Tours and activities listed below are carefully selected by our Concierges. Bookings for Milan are processed by our preferred destination partner for the best service.

Focus on: Milan Cathedral - Duomo di Milano

Milan, Italy is a city which offers visitors a dizzying array of exciting places to see and things to do. With so many choices it is easy to become overwhelmed, but no matter which other fantastic activities are on your to-do list the Duomo di Milano (the Milan Cathedral) should be at the very top of the list.

About the Duomo di Milano

Construction of the Milan Cathedral began in 1386 above the ruins of a cathedral built in 355 AD. to honor St Thecla. The structure’s design was for an ornate Gothic cathedral, and unbeknown to the designers and builders, the Milan Cathedral would be a work in progress for nearly 600 years. Installation of the final gate occurred in January 1965. As you can imagine, a structure with so much history required various renovations, the most recent took place from 2003 until 2009 and centered around the cathedral’s main façade.

Standing in the shadow of the Milan Cathedral is nothing short of breathtaking, it is the second largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The impressive structure is the home of a renowned collection of figures. There are approximately 3,400 statues in the cathedral. Donated to Duomo di Milano by various sculptors, the collection represents a wide range of artistic stylings including everything from the building’s original Gothic works through the Art Deco period of the early 20th century.

At the very onset of construction, Candoglia marble from a quarry in the Alps was the favored building material for the cathedral. This material gives a white to pale pink color to the structure, which only adds to the striking visage, especially when seeing the Milan Cathedral for the first time. The cathedral’s builders still own the quarry and the rights to the extraordinary marble. The Milan Cathedral’s spires are especially spectacular. There are 135 intricate spires, elegantly linked by flying buttresses, which grace the cathedral at heights up to 356 feet. The sight is dramatic and unforgettable.

Points of Interest

While admiring the Milan Cathedral from the outside undoubtedly creates a special memory, entering and touring the majestic place of worship will enhance your appreciation for the cathedral and the hundreds of years devoted to building it. On your visit to the Milan Cathedral be sure to make a point of seeing these particularly compelling places held within its walls.

• Tamburini and Mascioni Italian organ building’s 225-rank pipe organ. • The sarcophagus of Archbishop Alberto da Intimiano• Arguably the most famous work held in the Milan Cathedral, Marco d'Agrate’s statue Saint Bartholomew Flayed • A nail believed to be a nail used in the crucifixion of Jesus, located in the apse and marked by a tiny red lightbulb in the dome above • The ruins of the basilica dedicated to St Thecla, which is under the Milan Cathedral • A tour of the cathedral rooftop is an absolute must; this allows an unparalleled view of the city, a close up look at the spires as well as many statues which are not visible from another location • Madonnina's spire, a golden figure which graces a spire 108-feet in the air; by law, no structure in Milan may be taller than the Madonnina

Because of the Milan Cathedral’s popularity, it is a good idea to book your tour as far in advance as possible.

A visit to the Duomo di Milano is an essential part of a vacation in Milan, Italy.